The reason that we don't recommend to put BB in the Program Files folder, is that Windows has special rules and restrictions for the Program Files folder. And those rules have changed with different OS versions, and possibly with different UAC settings on the same PC, or running a program as an admin getting different treatment than running without admin privileges.

One issue is 'virtualization', where files that get written into that Program Files folder might not be visible to other users. That can make for some for some confusing, squirrelly issues where a file was there, but then is not there, because the user has changed.

Windows doesn't want Programs writing config and other files into the Program Files folder, and BiaB does like to write to its home folder.

Please note that this isn't a Windows issue, it is BiaB issue - Biab is not following the recommended guidelines for the Program Files folder. Windows rules for that folder make sense, especially for multiple users etc. that might want their own custom settings. It is just that in the BB folder, things are normal, and programs and users can read and write files without needing to understand/follow these special rules.

I'm glad we've stuck with c:\bb, as that directory has been available since the early days of BiaB (1988). The Program Files directory has gone through various names, and currently there are 2 of them Program Files (x86) and Program Files.

If you want to ignore all that, yes, you can run it from the Program Files folder. And if you want to not see that startup tip, you can disable 'tips' from the Edit-Prefs main panel.

Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.